Shay Given, relegated to third choice behind Alan Kelly and Dean Kiely for the Republic of Ireland's game at Amsterdam on Saturday night, was yesterday being linked with a return to Celtic.
Celtic, who released the Irishman after he had spent three seasons at the club and then unsuccessfully tried to persuade him to return at a time when he had signed for Blackburn, are now thought to be ready to make another attempt to bring him back.
After a difficult period at St James' Park, the Irishman has re-established himself in the Newcastle United team. Yet, manager Bobby Robson has done little to dismiss on-going speculation that he is ready to sign Portugal's goalkeeper Vito Baia, who was on the staff during his time in charge of FC Porto.
Meanwhile, Celtic last night refused to comment on reports that chief executive Allan MacDonald has quit the club. Scotland on Sunday newspaper reported that the former British Aerospace managing director had left Parkhead 18 months after taking over from Fergus McCann.
MacDonald was instrumental in bringing Kenny Dalglish back to the club as director of football operations and head coach John Barnes in an ill-fated partnership in June last year. But the Parkhead club refused to say anything on the situation regarding the chief executive. MacDonald is believed to have made his decision after the appointment of manager Martin O'Neill in June.
